Cockatiels are an excellent bird for first-time owners so you made a good choice.

The price of birds is mostly the result of how common or uncommon they are. Cockatiels and budgies are plentiful so the price is low (especially if you buy directly from the breeder or if you rehome a bird). Canary wings aren't common so they're more expensive. Bourkes aren't as common as cockatiels but they're more common than canary wings.

A Bourke here will run you $90 for an untamed one.

I love all the cockatoos but I'd never be able to handle one.

I'd like to run a rescue/sanctuary or something for parrots. Build fancy aviaries for them and watch them play...

I love the big cockatoos but I have no desire to own one. I get my large-parrot fix at the monthly meetings of the bird club. During the last few months I've started helping hold birds for the grooming services we provide, and the learning process involves getting bitten a few times lol. At the last meeting I was tagged by an ekkie, a severe macaw (one of the mini macaws) and a blue and gold macaw. Fortunately the big guy didn't manage to get a very good grip or I'd have my finger in a splint right now. It was actually the ekkie that scored the worst bite.

That's not too bad and you're in California of all places.

I know. So true. It's very expensive here.

I've been bitten by several big cockatoos and macaws. The biggest macaw bite a suffered was from a GW and the from a too, U2, which also coincidentally, happened to be Baby Girl. We bonded, I know it.

I won't swear to this, but I think Bourkes are about half that price at the bird marts here in Tucson.

Bourkes are quite cheap here in the UK. You can find a baby for about £25, which is around $30. I have seen even cheaper ones, but of course they are not tame.

I've always wanted a half sided budgie!

You're talking about a SERIOUS rarity there!